Why use AC for headlight? By tnvol85 (Read 573 times)

[tnvol85]

I don't get why the headlight uses AC for power and not straight DC from the battery.  I'm having a problem with blown headlight bulbs.  The bulb size is P15d.  Will wiring an incandescent bulb straight to the battery for 12v DC work?  I found several LED options for the P15d bulb online, but they all have to be ordered from China.  I guess they are DOT approved?

[jomama0867]

I've wondered that myself, but certain "gurus" on this site set me straight, so in their honor I'll try to pass it along; the headlights (and every other light on the scooter) is actually running on DC power . . . it's just "rectified" DC power. The stators on these scooters are designed to create AC power. This is routed to the Regulator/Rectifier (the small ribbed component on your wiring harness somewhere), where it is converted to DC power and dispersed to the other areas of the scooter. The "regulator" component insures that the DC power it releases DOESN'T (or shouldn't) fry the other parts. The leftover DC power it converts runs back to your battery to recharge it. I had a similar problem on my scoot, and it ended up being a bad Regulator/Rectifier!

P.S.- I assume I'll be corrected if my explanation isn't OEM!

[cyborg]

85 I'm sure you could rewire the headlite directly from the battery,,,but jomama is probably correct that the regulation is "bad" and it's sending too much juice to the headlite hence the popped bulb issue

[seanstr]

How fast is the bulb blowing?

If right away, then it's got to be the rectifier. if not maybe the bulb is getting water on it? That would do it. Mine was doing thus. I had a headlight assembly the had melted and was obviously something started this. But once I replaced assembly, it hasn't done it since, I need some cyber wood to knock on, 🌴 or 🌲, 👊🤜🤜.

Do one change and check results.